Yehudi Menuhin
/jəˌhuːdi ˈmenjuɪn/
/jəˌhuːdi ˈmenjuɪn/
- (1916-1999) one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century. He was born in the US but settled permanently in England in the 1940s. He first became famous as a child violinist, giving his first public performance at the age of seven in San Francisco. A number of works were later written specially for him by leading composers, including William Walton. In 1963 Menuhin started a school for children with special musical ability. He was also a conductor and directed music festivals, as well as writing and broadcasting on humanitarian subjects. He was made a knight in 1987 and a life peer in 1993.